19.2. Enabling Intel VT and AMD-V virtualization hardware extensions in BIOS

This section describes how to identify hardware virtualization extensions and enable them in your BIOS if they are disabled.

The Intel VT extensions can be disabled in the BIOS. Certain laptop vendors have disabled the Intel VT extensions by default in their CPUs.

The virtualization extensions can not be disabled in the BIOS for AMD-V ( capable processors installed in a Rev 2 socket.

The virtualization extensions are sometimes disabled in BIOS, usually by laptop manufacturers. Refer to Section 19.2, “Enabling Intel VT and AMD-V virtualization hardware extensions in BIOS” for instructions on enabling disabled virtualization extensions.

Verify the virtualization extensions are enabled in BIOS. The BIOS settings for Intel® VT or AMD-V are usually in the Chipset or Processor menus. The menu names may vary from this guide, the virtualization extension settings may be found in Security Settings or other non standard menu names.

Procedure 19.1. Enabling virtualization extensions in BIOS

Reboot the computer and open the system's BIOS menu. This can usually be done by pressing delete or Alt + F4.
Select Restore Defaults, and then select Save & Exit.
Power off the machine and disconnect the power supply.
Power on the machine and open the BIOS Setup Utility. Open the Processor section and enable Intel®Virtualization Technology or AMD-V. The values may also be called Virtualization Extensions on some machines. Select Save & Exit.
Power off the machine and disconnect the power supply.
Run cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep vmx svm. If the command outputs, the virtualization extensions are now enabled. If there is no output your system may not have the virtualization extensions or the correct BIOS setting enabled.